Second of Costa Rica’s sextuplets dies from respiratory complications

The second of the Costa Rican sextuplets born on May 17 has died, Costa Rican media reported Friday afternoon.

Emma, the oldest of the six premature babies, died from respiratory complications, according to Hospital México, where the birth took place, reported TV Channel 7 News.

The sextuplets, the first ever recorded in Costa Rica, have struggled to survive since their birth due to several complications.

Emma was born at 1,060 grams and was the first to breathe on her own and take colostrum, the first milk produced during pregnancy, reported the daily La Nación. The infant’s condition worsened Thursday evening after being declared in stable condition earlier this week.

On Wednesday, Diego, the fourth born of the six, died from respiratory and circulation problems.

The mother, 34 year-old Silvia Villegas, gave birth via cesarean section after 28 weeks gestation Sunday evening in Hospital México, northwest of the capital, San José. The normal range for human pregnancy is between 38 and 42 weeks.

The four remaining children, Valentina, Tomás, Andrés and Gabriel, remain hospitalized.